The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 7

''There was nothing ever like them.

• There: beginning of a direct quote; used to indicate existence [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'be'; indicating existence in the past [wɑz]
• nothing: not anything; no thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• ever: at any time; always [ˈɛvər]
• like: similar to; resembling [laɪk]
• them: referring to the great drives [ðɛm]

''Do you remember when he used to come to the Terrace?''

• Do: Beginning of a direct quote or dialogue. 'Do' initiates a question. [du]
• you: Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]
• remember: To recall something from the past. [rɪˈmɛmbər]
• when: At what time or during what period. [wɪn]
• he: Refers to a male person previously mentioned or known. [hi]
• used to: Indicates a past habit or repeated action. [juzd tɪ]
• come: To move or travel towards a particular place. [kəm]
• to: Indicates direction or destination. [tɪ]
• the Terrace: A specific location, likely a patio or raised platform. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [ðə ˈtɛrəs]

''I wanted to take him fishing but I was too timid to ask him.

• I: Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]
• wanted: Expressed a desire or wish. [ˈwɔntɪd]
• to take: To escort or guide someone. [tɪ teɪk]
• him: Refers to a male person previously mentioned. [ɪm]
• fishing: The activity of catching fish. [ˈfɪʃɪŋ]
• but: Introduces a contrast or exception. [bət]
• I: Refers to the speaker. [aɪ]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• too timid: Excessively shy or lacking courage. [tu ˈtɪmɪd]
• to ask: To make a request or inquiry. [tɪ æsk]
• him: Refers to the male person previously mentioned. [ɪm]

''I know.

• I: Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]
• know: To be aware of something. [noʊ]

It was a great mistake.

• It: Refers to a situation or event. [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• a great mistake: A significant error or blunder. [ə greɪt mɪˈsteɪk]

He might have gone with us.

• He: Refers to a male person previously mentioned. [hi]
• might have gone: Indicates a possibility in the past. [maɪt hæv gɔn]
• with: In the company of. [wɪθ]
• us: Refers to the speaker and another person or people. [ˈjuˈɛs]

''I would like to take the great DiMaggio fishing,'' the old man said. ''They say his father was a fisherman.

• I: Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]
• would like: Expresses a desire or wish. [wʊd laɪk]
• to take: To escort or guide someone. [tɪ teɪk]
• the great: Eminent, famous, or skilled. [ðə greɪt]
• DiMaggio: Likely refers to Joe DiMaggio, a famous baseball player. [dɪˈmæʤiˌoʊ]
• fishing: The activity of catching fish. The quotation marks indicate the end of the first part of the direct quote. [ˈfɪʃɪŋ]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• said: Spoke or uttered words. [sɛd]
• They: Beginning of the second part of the direct quote. 'They' refers to people in general or an unspecified group. [ðeɪ]
• say: To state or express an opinion. [seɪ]
• his: Belonging to DiMaggio. [hɪz]
• father: Male parent. [ˈfɑðər]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• a fisherman: A person who catches fish. [ə ˈfɪʃərˌmæn]

''The great Sisler's father was never poor and he, the father, was playing in the Big Leagues when he was my age.''

• The: Beginning of a direct quote. 'The' refers to a specific person. [ðə]
• great: Eminent, famous, or skilled. [greɪt]
• Sisler's: Likely refers to George Sisler, a famous baseball player. The apostrophe indicates possession. [sislers]
• father: Male parent. [ˈfɑðər]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• never: At no time; not ever. [ˈnɛvər]
• poor: Lacking sufficient money or resources. [pur]
• and: Connects two similar elements. [ənd]
• he: Refers to Sisler's father. [hi]
• the father: Male parent. [ðə ˈfɑðər]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• playing: Engaging in a game or sport. [pleɪɪŋ]
• in: Indicates location or involvement. [ɪn]
• the Big Leagues: Refers to a professional sports league, especially baseball. [ðə bɪg ligz]
• when: At the time that. [wɪn]
• he: Refers to Sisler's father. [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]
• my: Belonging to the speaker. [maɪ]
• age: The number of years someone has lived. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [eɪʤ]

''When I was your age I was before the mast on a square rigged ship that ran to Africa and I have seen lions on the beaches in the evening.''

• When: Beginning a quote or dialogue, indicating a past time [wɪn]
• I: The speaker [aɪ]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• your age: The same age as the person being spoken to [jʊr eɪʤ]
• I: The speaker [aɪ]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• before the mast: A sailor's position on a sailing ship, typically a less experienced role [ˌbiˈfɔr ðə mæst]
• on a square rigged ship: A type of sailing ship with square sails [ɔn ə skwɛr rɪgd ʃɪp]
• that ran to Africa: That sailed regularly to Africa [ðət ræn tɪ ˈæfrɪkɑ]
• and: Connecting the previous statement to the next [ənd]
• I: The speaker [aɪ]
• have seen: Past participle of 'to see', indicating a past experience [hæv sin]
• lions: Large carnivorous cats [laɪənz]
• on the beaches: Sandy areas along the coast [ɔn ðə ˈbiʧɪz]
• in the evening: The time of day between afternoon and night [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]

''I know.

• I: Beginning a quote or dialogue, the speaker [aɪ]
• know: To be aware of something [noʊ]

''Should we talk about Africa or about baseball?''

• Should: Beginning a quote or dialogue, expressing a suggestion or question [ʃʊd]
• we: The speaker and the person being spoken to [wi]
• talk: To have a conversation [tɔk]
• about: Concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• Africa: A continent [ˈæfrɪkɑ]
• or: Indicating a choice between two options [ər]
• about: Concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• baseball: A sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]

''Baseball I think,'' the boy said.

• Baseball: Beginning a quote or dialogue, referring to the sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]
• I: The speaker [aɪ]
• think: To believe or suppose [θɪŋk]
• the boy: A young male [ðə bɔɪ]
• said: Past tense of 'to say', to utter words [sɛd]

''Tell me about the great John J.

• Tell: To communicate information [tɛl]
• me: The speaker [mi]
• about: Concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• the great: Remarkable or outstanding [ðə greɪt]
• John J: A name [ʤɑn ʤeɪ]

McGraw.'' He said Jota for J.

• McGraw: A surname [məˈgrɔ]
• He: Referring to the boy [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'to say', to utter words [sɛd]
• Jota: Mispronunciation of the letter 'J' [jota]
• for: In place of [fər]
• J: The letter 'J' [ʤeɪ]

''He used to come to the Terrace sometimes too in the older days.

• He: Beginning a quote or dialogue, referring to John J. McGraw [hi]
• used to: Past habit or custom [juzd tɪ]
• come: To arrive at a place [kəm]
• to: Indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the Terrace: A specific location, likely a place [ðə ˈtɛrəs]
• sometimes: Occasionally [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• too: Also [tu]
• in the older days: In the past [ɪn ðə ˈoʊldər deɪz]

But he was rough and harsh-spoken and difficult when he was drinking.

• But: Introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• he: Referring to John J. McGraw [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• rough: Not gentle or refined [rəf]
• and: Connecting two similar qualities [ənd]
• harsh-spoken: Speaking in a severe or unkind way [harsh-spoken]
• and: Connecting two similar qualities [ənd]
• difficult: Hard to deal with [ˈdɪfəkəlt]
• when: At the time that [wɪn]
• he: Referring to John J. McGraw [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• drinking: Consuming alcohol [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ]

His mind was on horses as well as baseball.

• His: Referring to John J. McGraw [hɪz]
• mind: Thoughts or attention [maɪnd]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• on: Focused on [ɔn]
• horses: Equine animals [ˈhɔrsɪz]
• as well as: In addition to [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• baseball: A sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]

''He was a great manager,'' the boy said. ''My father thinks he was the greatest.''

• He: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'He', referring to a male person [hi]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• a great manager: describing someone as very skilled and effective at managing [ə greɪt ˈmænɪʤər]
• the boy said: identifies who is speaking [ðə bɔɪ sɛd]
• My: Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'My', indicating possession by the speaker [maɪ]
• father: the speaker's male parent [ˈfɑðər]
• thinks: believes or has an opinion [θɪŋks]
• he: referring back to the manager [hi]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• the greatest: superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding [ðə ˈgreɪtəst)]

''Because he came here the most times,'' the old man said. ''If Durocher had continued to come here each year your father would think him the greatest manager.''

• Because: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Because', introducing a reason [bɪˈkəz]
• he: referring to someone previously mentioned [hi]
• came: past tense of 'to come', meaning to arrive [keɪm]
• here: to this place [hir]
• the most times: more often than anyone else [ðə moʊst taɪmz]
• the old man said: identifies who is speaking [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]
• If: Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'If', introducing a conditional statement [ɪf]
• Durocher: likely a reference to a specific person, possibly a baseball manager [ˈdjurəkər]
• had continued: past perfect tense of 'to continue', meaning to keep doing something [hæd kənˈtɪnjud]
• to come: to arrive [tɪ kəm]
• here: to this place [hir]
• each year: every year [iʧ jɪr]
• your: belonging to the person being spoken to [jʊr]
• father: the person's male parent [ˈfɑðər]
• would think: conditional tense of 'to think', meaning would believe [wʊd θɪŋk]
• him: referring to Durocher [ɪm]
• the greatest manager: superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding manager [ðə ˈgreɪtəst ˈmænɪʤər)]

''Who is the greatest manager, really, Luque or Mike Gonzalez?''

• Who: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Who', asking about a person's identity [hu]
• is: present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• the greatest manager: superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding manager [ðə ˈgreɪtəst ˈmænɪʤər]
• really: in truth or fact [ˈrɪli]
• Luque: likely a reference to a specific person [luk]
• or: used to introduce an alternative [ər]
• Mike Gonzalez: likely a reference to a specific person [maɪk gɑnˈzɑləz)]

''I think they are equal.''

• I: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'I', referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• think: believe or have an opinion [θɪŋk]
• they: referring to Luque and Mike Gonzalez [ðeɪ]
• are: present tense of 'to be' [ər]
• equal: being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value [ˈikwəl)]

''And the best fisherman is you.''

• And: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'And', connecting to a previous statement [ənd]
• the best fisherman: superlative form of 'good', indicating the most skilled at catching fish [ðə bɛst ˈfɪʃərˌmæn]
• is: present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• you: referring to the person being spoken to [ju)]

''No.

• No: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'No', expressing disagreement or negation [noʊ]

''Que Va,'' the boy said. ''There are many good fishermen and some great ones.

• Que Va: Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Que Va', a Spanish expression often meaning 'No way' or 'Nonsense' [kju va]
• the boy said: identifies who is speaking [ðə bɔɪ sɛd]
• There: Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'There', indicating existence [ðɛr]
• are: present tense of 'to be' [ər]
• many: a large number of [ˈmɛni]
• good fishermen: skilled at catching fish [gʊd ˈfɪʃərmɪn]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• some: an unspecified or unknown number or quantity of [səm]
• great ones: very skilled fishermen [greɪt wənz]

''Thank you.

• Thank you: Expression of gratitude [θæŋk ju]

You make me happy.

• You make me happy: Your actions or presence cause me to feel joy [ju meɪk mi ˈhæpi]

''There is no such fish if you are still strong as you say.''

• There is no such fish: There does not exist a fish of that kind [ðɛr ɪz noʊ səʧ fɪʃ]
• if: Conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• you are still strong: your strength remains [ju ər stɪl strɔŋ]
• as you say: according to your own statement [ɛz ju seɪ]

''I may not be as strong as I think,'' the old man said. ''But I know many tricks and I have resolution.''

• I may not be: It is possible that I am not [aɪ meɪ nɑt bi]
• as strong as I think: possessing the same level of strength that I believe I have [ɛz strɔŋ ɛz aɪ θɪŋk]
• the old man said: statement made by the elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]
• But: contrastive conjunction [bət]
• I know: I possess knowledge of [aɪ noʊ]
• many tricks: a large number of clever or skillful actions [ˈmɛni trɪks]
• and: additive conjunction [ənd]
• I have resolution: I possess determination and firmness of purpose [aɪ hæv ˌrɛzəˈluʃən]

''You ought to go to bed now so that you will be fresh in the morning.

• You ought to: You should; it is advisable for you to [ju ɔt tɪ]
• go to bed now: retire for the night to sleep [goʊ tɪ bɛd naʊ]
• so that: in order that; with the purpose that [soʊ ðət]
• you will be fresh: you will be rested and energetic [ju wɪl bi frɛʃ]
• in the morning: at the start of the next day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]